Closed for business
Confusion and disarray cloud Chinese foot ball ahead of the 2021 season. Jiangsu FC, formerly Jiangsu Suning, won their maiden Chinese Super League (CSL) title last November thanks to an abbreviated competition format in respone to the pandemic. But barely four months later, the side has “ceased operations” following withdrawal of their parent company due to financial difficulties.
Even in a country known for its chaotic foot ball system, the news that the 2015 Chinese FA Cup winners would be disbanded and not defend its CSL crown, came as a shock to many. At the time of writing, the team has yet to officially be wound-up, but this is widely believed to be a formality. Owners Suning – part of a sprawling conglomerate with interests in retail, real estate, broadcasting, as well as a controlling stake in Internazionale – had tried to offload Jiangsu to any buyer willing to take on the
